This Q&A is part of the story series Voices of Drake that highlights the diversity, ambition, and passion of the incredible people who make up our campus community. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be sharing a collection of interviews to spotlight some of the amazing people in our community who identify as Hispanic, Latino, Latina, or Latinx. This week’s story introduces Drake student Ashley Díaz-Alegría.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Ashley Díaz-Alegría, and I am a proud daughter of Salvadoran immigrants and a first-generation college student at Drake University. Growing up in a hardworking Latino household taught me resilience, faith, and the importance of community. At Drake, I am majoring in biology with a Spanish minor and serve as President of La Fuerza Latina, where I work to create opportunities, visibility, and support for Latino students on campus.
My journey is shaped by my family’s sacrifices and my passion for healthcare and advocacy. I’ve dedicated my time to volunteering at migrant health clinics, mentoring peers, and organizing cultural events that celebrate our diverse identities. For me, leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about lifting others, opening doors, and leaving every space more welcoming than I found it.
I see my story as proof that representation matters. Every event I plan, every clinic I volunteer at, every class I take, it’s all part of building a future where young Latinas and first-gen students feel seen, heard, and empowered. Drake has become the bridge between my dreams and the reality I’m creating, and I’m honored to give back to the community that has given me so much.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of identity, resilience, and legacy. It’s a time to honor our ancestors’ struggles, showcase our vibrant cultures, and reaffirm our presence in spaces where we’ve often been overlooked. For me personally, it’s also a promise: to continue opening doors so future generations feel proud, visible, and empowered.
Why did you choose to attend Drake?
I chose Drake because it felt like home. As a Latina, first-generation student, and aspiring physician, I wanted a place where my whole self would be valued, not just my academic record. Drake’s smaller, family-oriented atmosphere meant I could build real relationships with professors and peers, and still stay close to the family who shaped me. Being near home allowed me to keep my roots strong while branching out into leadership, service, and research. From the very beginning, Drake’s community didn’t just welcome me: it saw me, celebrated me, and gave me a platform to grow.
What is your favorite thing about Drake?
My favorite thing about Drake is the sense of belonging the people create. Professors know my name, staff members check in on me, and my peers have truly become like family. As a first-generation Latina student, that warmth has meant everything. Drake isn’t just a university to me, it’s a place where mentors open doors, classmates cheer you on, and your culture is celebrated. I’m especially grateful for Dra. Inbal Mazar and the incredible women of La Fuerza Latina’s Executive Council: my girls, my sisters, my support system. They, along with so many friends and connections I’ve made here, have made Drake feel like home and have shaped me into the leader I am today.
In what ways have you grown since coming to Drake?
Since coming to Drake, I’ve experienced a transformation that goes far beyond academics. I arrived shy, unsure of myself, and hesitant to step into leadership, yet always secretly wanting to. Over time, I built the courage to use my voice, take risks, and lead with purpose. Now, I’m serving as President of a Latino organization, something I once thought was out of reach.
This journey has taught me confidence, resilience, and how to stand firmly in my identity. I’ve learned that leadership is not about perfection but about showing up for others, building community, and creating spaces where people feel seen and empowered.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and ultimately become a physician serving underserved populations, especially Latino and immigrant communities. My dream is to bridge gaps in healthcare access and provide culturally competent care because everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and healed. I’m especially inspired to pursue neurosurgery, and I’m also interested in studying medicine in El Salvador, where my beloved grandfather lives. He has been one of the greatest loves and inspirations of my life, and carrying my family’s story with me into medicine keeps me grounded and motivated. Alongside my medical career, I hope to continue mentoring and opening doors for other first-generation and Latino students who come after me.
Who has been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
Dra. Inbal Mazar has been one of the most important mentors in my life at Drake. She’s guided me with patience and courage, showing me how to lead authentically and open doors for others. Dr. Carreón has also been instrumental, patiently helping me build connections and navigate opportunities that have shaped my path.
Beyond campus, my beloved parents, uncles, and extended family have been my foundation. Their sacrifices, wisdom, and unwavering support remind me every day why I work so hard. Together, these mentors have taught me resilience, compassion, and the power of lifting others as we climb.
Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
Drake quickly became a place where I could combine my passions for culture, service, and medicine. Leading La Fuerza Latina has been especially meaningful, turning ideas into events that uplift Latino students and build community on campus. My work at migrant health clinics has grounded me in the realities of healthcare access and strengthened my commitment to becoming a physician who serves with empathy and cultural understanding.
In addition, my roles in the Pre-Med Club, as a math tutor, and as PR Chair for Phi Delta Epsilon have deepened my leadership and mentorship skills. Together, these experiences have shaped me into someone who sees leadership as service and who strives to create spaces where others feel seen and empowered.
What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition?
I hope Hispanic Heritage Month at Drake does more than celebrate—I hope it connects. I want students, staff, and community members to feel the richness of our cultures, hear our stories, and see the people behind them. My dream is for these events to spark friendships, conversations, and lasting understanding, so that when the month ends, the sense of belonging and appreciation continues all year.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life, and what lessons did that person teach you?
The biggest influences in my life are my parents and my grandfather, mi Toñito. My mom and dad left everything behind in El Salvador to give us a safer future. They taught me what sacrifice looks like in real life, what it means to work with dignity, and how faith can carry you through even the hardest days. Because of them, I learned to dream without limits and to serve others as a way of honoring where I come from.
Mi Toñito is the soul of our family and the keeper of our stories. He’s gentle but strong, humble but wise, the kind of presence that makes you feel safe and proud at the same time. His love and pride have fueled my determination to become a doctor and to represent our family in spaces we never imagined reaching. When I picture my future, I see their hands guiding me, my parents’ hands building and sacrificing, and mi Toñito’s hands holding mine, reminding me why I’m doing this.Their love is the heartbeat behind every step I take.
How do you like to spend your free time? Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
In my free time, I love slowing down and reconnecting with the things that make me feel most like myself. The gym is my therapy: a place where I can clear my head, challenge my body, and recharge my spirit. I also love cooking healthy meals inspired by my family’s recipes and exploring new coffee spots around Des Moines with friends.
I’ve recently fallen in love with pottery, which has taught me patience and how beautiful it is to create something with your own hands. And even though my grandfather lives in El Salvador, I spend a lot of time Face Timing him. Those calls keep me grounded in my roots and remind me why I work so hard. More than anything, I try to fill my free time with people and activities that bring me peace, joy, and connection.
What advice would you like to give to a student thinking about coming to Drake next year?
If you’re thinking about coming to Drake, know this: there is a place here for you, exactly as you are. Bring your whole self: your culture, your dreams, and your story because those are your strengths. Don’t be afraid to step into leadership, ask for help, or create the spaces you wish existed.
You will find mentors, friends, and communities that will lift you up, and you’ll discover a courage inside yourself you didn’t know was there. I came here as a first-generation student full of hope but also uncertainty, and Drake gave me a platform to grow, lead, and give back. My wish for you is that you feel that same sense of belonging, that you build your own path, and that you leave this campus having inspired someone else to do the same.